Preview: Matthew Dear’s Big Hands/Sonotheque

On his soon-to-be released mix CD for the Get Physical label’s “Body Language” series, Matthew Dear shows off a refined selection of minimal yet loquacious beats. As a DJ he shows exquisite skill and taste with a style that wanders between techno and house conventions, but this impressive display is just a sidelight for this prodigious techno artist who continues to release material under the Jabberjaw, False and Audion monikers along with drawing raves for the ambitious work he’s been doing under his own name and with his Matthew Dear’s Big Hands band where he and his laptop are joined by live bass and drums. On last year’s striking “Asa Breed”Dear stepped from behind the machines, adding lead vocals to his techno permutations and creating an unparalleled concoction that acknowledges pop’s appeal without capitulating to its clichés. He drops new cut “Free To Ask” during the mix and is always bringing new twists to the shows with his band. (Noah Levine)

October 17 at Sonotheque, 1444 West Chicago, (312)226-7600, at 9pm. $13